A Human Information Behavior Approach to a Philosophy of Information

This paper outlines the relation between philosophy of information (PI) and human information behavior (HIB). In this paper, we first briefly outline the basic constructs and approaches of PI and HIB. We argue that a strong relation exists between PI and HIB, as both are exploring the concept of information and premise information as a fundamental concept basic to human existence. We then exemplify that a heuristic approach to PI integrates the HIB view of information as a cognitive human- initiated process by presenting a specific cognitive architecture for information initiation based on modular notion from HIB/evolutionary psychology and the vacuum mechanism from PI.published or submitted for publicatio

Co-variation and social meaning: the implicational relationship between (H) and (ING) in Debden, Essex

This paper investigates to what extent the differing social meanings held by linguistic features result in an implicational relationship between them. Rates of (H) and (ING) are investigated in the casual speech of 63 speakers from a Cockney community: Debden, Essex. The indexicalities of h-dropping in Debden (signalling Cockney heritage) are superordinate to and incorporate the indexicalities of g-dropping (working-class speech). This paper hypothesises that the features’ distinct but overlapping social meanings result in an implicational relation in terms of clustering effects at the within-speaker level and rates of co-variation at the between-speaker level. This hypothesis is confirmed: h-dropping implies g-dropping, but g-dropping can occur independently of h-dropping. The features’ differing social meaning are also related to rates of change. Young speakers are shifting away from linguistic features which index the community’s Cockney heritage (h-dropping; the [-Iŋk] variant of -thing words) in favour of more general, south-eastern, working-class norms (g-dropping)

Signaling Pathways and Genetic Interactions That Lead to Metastatic Cancer in Drosophila melanogaster

Cancer is a complex and multigenic disease, which is typically initiated by genetic mutations in tumor suppressor genes that regulate homeostatic mechanisms within cells. Oncogenic promoter mutations, like those involved in signal transduction pathways, also have the potential to induce cancer in an otherwise healthy organism. Transformation is highly dependent upon mutations to both tumor suppressor and oncogenes, as neither mutation is exclusive in its ability to generate malignant tumors. In the model organism, Drosophila melanogaster, I have generated metastatic cancer through the genetic effect of overactive Raf signaling, in conjugation with silencing selected tumor suppressor genes using RNA interference. Metastasis, the uncontrollable migration of cancer to non-adjacent areas within an organism, was analyzed in vivo, using Green Fluorescent Protein as an indicator for the presence of mutant tissue. Scribble (scrib) and Discs large (Dlg), two genes involved in cell polarity, demonstrated the highest incidence of metastatic cancer when silenced using RNAi. This novel preliminary screen exhibits the influential role of Raf signaling and cell polarity genes in generating metastatic cancer

In Quest of Walter Smith: The Past, Present, and Future Impact of Visual Art in Adult Education

Walter Smith is a relatively unknown historical figure in the art world, but he is essential to defining adult education\u27s past, present, and future in the area of visual art. His artistic endeavors in America sparked facets of the way art education is practiced today. However, along the way we have lost the tenets of social change which he sought but never accomplished. In chapter one, I introduce the purpose of the research. In chapter two, I explain the position Walter Smith entered when coming to America. I also detail Smith\u27s Herculean social reform efforts for adult education and why popular appreciation of what he did was impossible. In chapter three, I analyze the changes in American adult art education inspired by Smith, and the paradigmatic changes in adult art education since Smith up to present-day. In chapter four, I assess documentation of the present situation of adult education in art in the United States. I review the thought process behind what is required in teaching adult students and its current practice. In chapter five, I discuss Paulo Freire\u27s theory of social transformation as a backbone for adult art education within some possible frameworks: CBAE, DBAE, and through the aid of Internet and computer technology. In chapter six, I address the dichotomy that is simultaneously splitting the fields of adult education and adult art education

Experiences of Postsecondary Students with Physical Disabilities with Online Learning

Over one tenth of students in postsecondary education have a documented disability as defined by the Americans with Disability Act. However, faculty and course designers often lack understanding of these students\u27 experiences, which leads to insufficient accommodations. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the experiences of students with physical disabilities (SWD) in online courses. The research was grounded in self-determination theory, which posits 3 basic needs for self-actualization: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. This theory in combination with universal design for learning provided a lens for exploring these experiences. Data collection included 8 interviews with postsecondary students with a physical disability. Data were coded using a combination of value codes and organized thematically. Major findings showed that SWD experience barriers in self-regulation, minimizing of their disabilities, pressure to overachieve, specific knowledge of available resources, isolation, and miscommunication. However, through proper online learning, SWD experience benefits in self-regulation, self-pacing, an increasing sense of confidence and pride, stamina, connection to peers, positive discussions, and advocacy for themselves and others. This research has implications for social change as an evidentiary tool for advocacy when exploring the benefits of taking online courses for SWD and as an awareness tool for teachers and other stakeholders in online education who wish to adapt to best practices

Senior Recital: Amanda Esposito, violin

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Ms. Esposito studies violin with Helen Kim.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1308/thumbnail.jp

The PRICE-MOUTH crossover in the "Cockney diaspora"

This study investigates two dynamic vowel changes in a variety of Southern British English, in the context of social changes affecting a specific speech community. We present apparent-time data from a community of Cockney speakers, rehoused from London to Essex in the 1950s. Our interest is in tracking the potential loss of a traditional Cockney feature, the PRICE-MOUTH crossover. We find that the crossover is reversing in apparent time, showing an abrupt change towards regional standard in speakers under 28 years of age, which we link to historical policy changes, and a following shift to social class attitude. We also find that while the formant values shift noticeably in apparent time, the changes largely preserve the trajectory shape

Headroom approach to device development: Current and future directions

OBJECTIVES: The headroom approach to medical device development relies on the estimation of a value-based price ceiling at different stages of the development cycle. Such price-ceilings delineate the commercial opportunities for new products in many healthcare systems. We apply a simple model to obtain critical business information as the product proceeds along a development pathway, and indicate some future directions for the development of the approach. METHODS: Health economic modelling in the supply-side development cycle for new products. RESULTS: The headroom can be used: initially as a 'reality check' on the viability of the device in the healthcare market; to support product development decisions using a real options approach; and to contribute to a pricing policy which respects uncertainties in the reimbursement outlook. CONCLUSIONS: The headroom provides a unifying thread for business decisions along the development cycle for a new product. Over the course of the cycle attitudes to uncertainty will evolve, based on the timing and manner in which new information accrues. Within this framework the developmental value of new information can justify the costs of clinical trials and other evidence-gathering activities. Headroom can function as a simple shared tool to parties in commercial negotiations around individual products or groups of products. The development of similar approaches in other contexts holds promise for more rational planning of service provision

Disambiguating language attitudes held towards socio-demographic groups and geographic areas in South East England

Using a digitised method, this paper investigates the language attitudes of 18-33-year olds in South East England. More broadly, this paper demonstrates that disambiguating the language attitudes held towards socio-demographic groups and geographic areas is paramount to understanding the configuration of language attitudes in an area, particularly, for areas which have high cultural and linguistic heterogeneity. A total of 194 respondents evaluated the speech of 102 south-eastern speakers. Results reveal an imperfect mapping between language attitudes towards geographic areas and the speakers from these areas. Although East London and Essex are the most negatively evaluated areas, speakers’ demographic and identity data is the most important factor conditioning language attitudes. Across South East England, working-class and/or BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) speakers, as well as those who identify their accent in geographically marked terms are evaluated most negatively, which is confounded if they are from East London or Essex